South Carolina voters started casting in-person ballots on Monday, October 19, ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
County voting centers will stay open through October 31, giving residents a window to vote before Election Day.
The early voting period covers federal, state and local contests, according to the South Carolina Election Commission information cited by Yahoo.
Hours, ID Rules and Registration Deadline
Early voting centers generally operate from 8:30 a. m.
to 5 p. m.
, though schedules reported by WIS and ABC News 4 list hours of 8:30 a. m.
to 6 p. m.
, Monday through Saturday.
Voting centers are closed on Sundays, and voters should confirm their county's official schedule before visiting.
The state's voter registration deadline was October 4, according to WIS and Yahoo, meaning residents who missed it cannot register for this election under the reported schedule.
State law requires an acceptable photo identification document for in-person voting.
Yahoo lists acceptable IDs as a South Carolina driver's license, a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles identification card, a South Carolina voter registration card with a photo, a military ID or a U.
S. passport.
The South Carolina Election Commission also provides sample ballots so voters can review their choices before arriving at a voting center.
Charleston County election officials expect strong participation during the early voting period.
ABC News 4 reported that the Tri-County area has 17 early voting centers: seven in Charleston County, six in Berkeley County and four in Dorchester County.
Registered voters may use any early voting center within their county.
Isaac Cramer, executive director of the Charleston County Board of Elections, said convenience could help draw voters on the opening day.
"I think a lot of people enjoy the convenience, how easy it is," Cramer said.
"And I would anticipate [Monday is] going to be a very high turnout day, which is really exciting because it's the first day of in-person voting in South Carolina."
The election includes contests for governor, the U. S.
Senate, congressional seats and other state and local offices.
Voters will not choose a president this year, but some ballots also include local policy questions, including a possible transportation sales tax question in Charleston County, according to ABC News 4.
Mark Owens, an associate professor of political science at The Citadel, described the range of decisions facing voters as extending beyond candidate races to ballot questions.
Those local measures add another component to the November election alongside statewide and federal contests.
Absentee voting follows a separate schedule and eligibility process.
Yahoo reported that South Carolina requires an approved excuse for absentee voting, with applications due October 23.
Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7 p. m.
on November 3 to be counted.
U. S.
Rep. James E.
Clyburn urged Democratic voters to participate during a Sunday event ahead of the early voting launch, according to WACH.
The incumbent, who represents South Carolina's sixth congressional district, appeared with Democratic nominees and state party officials while emphasizing the potential importance of individual votes.
"The lesson for the night is one vote has made the difference in this country's evolution three times," Clyburn said.
South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain also encouraged participation, telling attendees that voters should help others reach the polls.
"Now we got one more thing to do, you need to go vote in the morning, and everyday you need to make sure you're taking someone to go vote," Spain said.
Early voting ends Saturday, October 31, two days before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, according to the South Carolina Election Commission information cited by the outlets.
